Connected Minds Postdoctoral Fellowships

The Connected Minds Postdoctoral Award will provide financial support to high-calibre academics doing scholarly work that is aligned with the Connected Minds program under the supervision of a registered Connected Minds member.

Connected Minds will support interdisciplinary training programs across its three pillars and will support training opportunities with partners in industry, government and non-profit sectors that will enhance the postdoctoral experience. Fellowships will be awarded competitively based on the strength of the candidate, the strength of the research proposal, and fit with the long-term goals of the Connected Minds program in addition to our FIRE-UP policy.

In recognition of the underrepresentation of Black and Indigenous Peoples within these fields, at least 10% of available fellowships will be designated for qualified applicants identifying as African, Caribbean, and Black, and at least 10% for Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Metis, and Inuit), totaling at least 20% of fellowships. To qualify for these designated awards, applicants must complete the self-identification form and meet the minimum requirements set for the award.

Award Details:

$70K/yr for 2 years + benefits

$8.5K research & networking allowance/yr for 2 years

Application Deadline:

March 27, 2026, 11:59PM EDT

Applicants may be incoming or within 6 months of their current appointment at York or Queen's

Apply Here

Complete the Self-ID Survey Here

Letter of Support Template

To be eligible to apply:

A three-member supervisory team, including:
- Primary Supervisor: Applicants must be supervised by a Connected Minds (CM) registered member; see the members page for a full list of our members. *Note that the supervisor must be based at the institution (York or Queen’s) where the fellowship is held and should be a different supervisor from the candidate's graduate program and/or previous postdoctoral fellowship(s). Primary supervisors can only supervise up to two Connected Minds funded fellows at a time.
- Transdisciplinary Co-Supervisor: Applications must include a transdisciplinary co-supervisor from a different expertise ‘pillar’ (Neuroscience & Behaviour, Intelligent Technologies, Society) from within the CM registered members list. This person may come from either CM institution.
- External Collaborator: The proposed project must also involve a collaborator external to the home institution (either from the other CM institution, or any other institution inside or outside of Canada, or a non-institutional partner (can be from either academic, industry, community, and/or government). Collaborators must agree to become a CM affiliate member.
A PhD or equivalent degree must be completed by the start date;
Normally, applicants must not have obtained their PhD from the institution where they are applying for a postdoctoral position within the past 2-years. In circumstances where the applicant wishes to continue as a postdoc at the same institution where they obtained their PhD within the past 2-years, they must justify how this training program and project will be significantly different from their PhD program studies.
Postdoctoral candidates who have already started at York or Queen’s are only eligible to apply to the Connected Minds Fellowships during their first 6-months of employment (or until the first available Connected Minds Postdoctoral Award application deadline, whichever comes first);
Successful applicants must accept an offer with a start date:
- Spring deadline: No earlier than July 1 and no later than January 1 of the following year;
- Fall deadline: No earlier than December 1 and no later than July 1;
- Extensions to the start date may be granted in extenuating circumstances and if the budget allows.
The project must be aligned with the Connected Minds mandate, long-term goals, and meet award evaluation criteria (see below).

Expectations of All Connected Minds Funded Fellows:

Awardees must relocate/maintain residence in Ontario and be within commuting distance of either York University or Queen’s University to ensure active engagement in program activities, including in-person events, meetings and training opportunities.
Required to complete progress reports as requested including the program’s on-line progress report at the end of each fiscal year (starting with the fiscal year that funding was received).
Expected to participate in the midterm and final progress reports.
Expected to present their progress/results at Connected Minds annual retreats.
Expected to participate in Connected Minds biennial academic conferences, alternating with our Technology and Innovation Symposia, as well as Connected Minds hosted workshops on technical, academic, and applied themes.
Encouraged to work with Innovation York or Queen's Office of Partnership and Innovation to consider any commercialization or entrepreneurial opportunities.
Required to participate in a 3-month research exchange in a partner organization or internship in a different sector or with a community partner. (Connected Minds will fund up to $10,000 for travel related expenses for the research exchange). Trainees must submit a Research Exchange/Internship travel (REIT) allowance request form prior to travel.
Strongly encouraged to apply for external funding.
Required to acknowledge Connected Minds/CFREF funding in publications, presentations, conference materials, and professional communications as follows: “This work was undertaken thanks in part to funding from the Connected Minds Program, supported by Canada First Research Excellence Fund, Grant #CFREF-2022-00010.”
Encouraged to join the Connected Minds Alumni group upon departure from the program, provide career updates, and keep connected to the program for career development, networking opportunities, knowledge mobilization and community engagement.

Accountability of Supervisory Team:

All Connected Minds members involved in the supervisory team for funded trainees are required to complete the program’s on-line progress report at the end of each fiscal year (starting with the fiscal year that funding was received).
The supervisory team must provide the resources and support required to enable their trainee to complete the proposed project successfully.
The Primary Supervisor must ensure that their trainee meet all requirements for holding a Connected Minds fellowship and remain accountable during the tenure of their award.
Can only be the primary supervisor for up to two Connected Minds funded fellows at a time.
Immigration expenses are ineligible under CFREF rules, and the supervisor will be responsible for funding any immigration/visa expenses related to their trainee.

The full application must be submitted through the link posted above by 11:59PM EDT on Friday, March 27, 2026.

All responses must be written in clear, lay language suitable for an interdisciplinary review committee. Please avoid technical jargon. Where specialized concepts are necessary, ensure that they are fully explained so that reviewers from diverse backgrounds can easily understand.

1. Project Description:

Detail the proposed project's objectives, relationship to the goals of Connected Minds, interdisciplinary approach, co-creation with partners and communities, knowledge mobilization (KMb) strategies, and expected outcomes/impact. (Use the below headings): (Total 1,000 words max for A-E below)

Project Aims and Objectives: Explain the issue your project addresses and why it matters. Describe the overarching goal of your project and the specific research objectives.
Alignment with Connected Minds: Explain how your project aligns with one or more of Connected Minds’ long term goals.
- Goal 1: Understand how the interplay of humans and intelligent technologies produces unexpected, emergent properties at the community/whole society levels.
  - How does your project examine human–intelligent technology interactions and emergent patterns, behaviours, or systemic effects.
- Goal 2: Predict how new intelligent technologies will disrupt the techno-social collective.
  - Describe how the project is structured to generate predictions; the technologies or systems involved in your project; what tools or methods will be used to derive them, and how these predictions will contribute to understanding of techno-social disruption and the development of responsible interventions.
- Goal 3: Use these predictions to drive new research and intelligent technology development.
  - Explain how this project will design and develop new and responsible intelligent technology, policy, design, or community practice.
Methodological and Interdisciplinary Approach:
- Provide a clear description of the research/project design. Including data collection and analysis plans, tools, techniques, and technologies involved (if applicable). Describe the interdisciplinary nature of your proposed work; the degree to which the proposed project incorporates methods and/or outputs across two or more CM expertise pillars (neuroscience & behaviour, intelligent technologies, society). Why are the chosen methods appropriate and are there any anticipated challenges or mitigation strategies.
Co-Creation and Partnership Approach:
- Describe how co-creation is built into your project. Consider:
  - Who you will collaborate or co-create with (community groups, industry, policy agencies, clinical partners, Indigenous communities, etc.) and how they will be engaged.
  - How reciprocal benefit, inclusiveness, non-extractive practices, and community voice are embedded in your approach.
  - If co-creation is not yet integrated, describe how you plan to incorporate it and what support you may need.
Knowledge Mobilization (KMb) and Expected Impact:
- Explain how the project outcomes will be shared and applied. Consider:
  - Who will benefit from your findings.
  - How your work may influence communities, policies, technologies, or societal systems.
  - Planned KMb activities (e.g., workshops, co-creation meetings, prototypes, plain-language materials, datasets, policy briefs, community events).

2. Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Considerations:

Explain how EDI principles and best practices were applied in the development of the proposal's project design, implementation, and impact by answering the following:

Please describe how individuals from underrepresented groups (women; racialized; Black; Indigenous Peoples; Persons with disabilities; 2SLGBTQIA+) and/or their perspectives and experiences (e.g., from literature, consultations), have been meaningfully integrated in the creation of the project’s question(s), design, methodology, and knowledge translation plan. If this has not yet occurred, please explain how underrepresented perspective will be integrated in your program. (max 150 words)
To help you engage and build knowledge of EDI and co-creation practices during your time in the program, what learning and developmental resources and programs would you be interested in participating in to develop your EDI knowledge and skillset. For example, information about conferences, seminars, and/or working groups. (max 150 words)
In recognition of barriers to participation and data sovereignty, what measures are in place to avoid or mitigate harm to underrepresented groups participating in research? What measures are in place to ensure knowledge generation and translation process have positive impact on underrepresented communities? (max 150 words)
What steps are in place to ensure the research is open to diverse viewpoints and ensure design and methodology are non-extractive? (max 150 words)

3. Career Goals:

Provide a summary of how this project will contribute to your career goals. (500 words max)

4. Uploads to the Application Form :

References/Works Cited: If applicable, 1 page max.
Tables, Figures, Project Timeline: Optional, 2 pages max. Please note that any additional pages beyond two may be deleted prior to review.
Letter of Support from the Proposed Supervisory Team (using the template provided): The letter should detail the contribution and commitments of the supervisory team and explicitly indicate the different pillars each supervisor's & co-supervisor's research profile represent. This should clearly state how the advisory team will mentor and support the applicant both for their proposed project and career goals and should be signed by all members (primary supervisor, co-supervisor, and external collaborator(s)) of the team.
Curriculum Vitae: provide a copy of your most recent CV.

5. Additional Requirements:

One Letter of Reference (no template, freeform letter): Note that the letter should come from a referee that is not on the proposed supervisory team and be emailed directly from the referee to applyconnectedminds@yorku.ca.
Self-identification Survey: All applicants are required to complete the self-identification survey. If you do not feel comfortable self-identifying, selecting the option "I prefer not to self-identify" under question #5, will end the survey. This option is also available throughout the survey, providing you with autonomy on what is shared. For more information on how data from the self-identification survey will be used, please click here.

If you have technical issues with completing the survey, please reach out to applyconnectedminds@yorku.ca.

Please note: We appreciate the interest and effort of all applicants across our funding opportunities. Due to the high volume of applications and in order to maintain a fair and efficient review process, we are unable to provide individual feedback or respond to inquiries regarding selection outcomes. All decisions are final, and we are not able to accommodate requests for reconsideration.

Evaluation:

Connected Minds staff will pre-screen applications to ensure that they meet the basic criteria described above.
Any project addressing Indigeneity will be further reviewed by the Indigenous Advisory Circle. In keeping with principles of self-determination, the Circle has the right to veto projects related to Indigenous research.
Members of the Training Committee will independently evaluate each application*. Scores will be weighted based on the criteria below.
Once all applications are scored, the average for each application will be calculated and assigned an initial rank by the Connected Minds admin team.
The Training Committee will meet to discuss the scores and strengths/weaknesses of the applications.
Applications deemed fundable (those with scores of 70-89) will go through the FIRE-UP process for final determination of priority funding order. Applications with scores equal or above 90 will not go through the FIRE-UP process and maintain their rank status.
The total number of fellowships awarded will be based on budget availability.

In recognition of the underrepresentation of Black and Indigenous Peoples within these fields, at least 10% of available scholarships will be designated for qualified applicants identifying as African, Caribbean, and Black, and at least 10% for Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Metis, and Inuit), totaling at least 20% of scholarships. To qualify for these designated awards, applicants must complete the voluntary self-identification form and meet the minimum requirements set for the award.

Additionally, if you belong to one of the other underrepresented groups (racialized individuals; persons with disabilities; women and 2SLGBTQIA+), self identification will be used as a tiebreaker for candidates who are deemed equal. The tie breaker situation is directly linked to thresholds the Connected Minds program seeks to achieve based on our Affirmative Action targets.

*Conflicts of interest will be declared. Committee members will not evaluate or discuss applications in which they appear as a supervisor, co-supervisor, or collaborator. If necessary, guest evaluators will be recruited to replace their expertise.

Funding Inclusive Research Excellence Program (FIRE-UP):

The Program Director, Operations Manager, and EDI and Community Outreach Specialist (hereafter referred to as CM Staff) will take the list of fundable applicants and identify those who fall under one or more of the federally designated groups (Women; Racialized Individuals; Indigenous Peoples; People with disabilities/Disabled Persons) and/or 2SLGBTQIA+ institutional priority group, and/or African, Black, Caribbean CFREF priority groups.
The diversity composition of the applicant pool for each institution (York & Queen’s) will be assessed using self-identification data collected via Survey Monkey.
CM Staff will determine the funding priority of each candidate based on current program targets.
Candidates who do not identify as individuals from underrepresented groups or who have opted out of FIRE-UP will have their funding priority exchanged with the next highest-ranking applicant that aligns with the AA priority order.
The number of candidates recommended for funding will be based on the remaining fellowships available at each institution.
If an African, Black, Caribbean and/or Indigenous candidate has indicated on their application that they wish to be considered under the African, Black, Caribbean /Indigenous funding allocation and they did not rank high enough on the funding priority list to secure an available spot, they will be recommended for funding under this allocation (subject to availability).

Leadership Review and Approval:

Recommendations on which applicants to fund based on the above processes will be presented to the Connected Minds Leadership Committee for review and final approval.
Results will be communicated approximately 8-10 weeks after the submission deadline.

Triage Stage:

The following will be discussed for each proposal at the evaluation meeting:

Basic Requirements: The application must meet the basic requirements described above.
Scholarly Focus: Does the proposal fall within CM's long-term goals and mandate?
EDI Statement: Have the principles of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion described above been completely satisfied?

If these criteria are not met, the proposal will be rejected outright. If they are met, the following criteria will be judged:

Weighted Criteria for Full Evaluation:

Scholarly Ability or Potential of the Candidate (Based on CV, letter of recommendation, and letter of support; 20%)
- Quality of any contributions to scholarly activities.
- Relevance of academic training and/or work/lived experience to the program and project.
- Scholarships and awards held.
- Duration of graduate studies.
- Ability to think critically.
- Ability to apply skills and knowledge.
- Initiative and autonomy.
- Determination and ability to complete projects within an appropriate period of time.

Excellence of Proposal (30%)
- Is sufficient background provided to understand the project?
- Is the idea and/or approach novel and innovative?
- Is the general methodological approach appropriate?
- Are the expected outcomes clearly defined and realistic?

Contributions to Career Goals (20%, based on candidate’s statement)
- Does this proposal clearly advance the candidate’s own career goals (beyond enhancing the supervisors’ and program’s research goals)?
- Has a clear path forward been identified, in terms of knowledge and skill development, from their current state toward their goal?
  - For example, if their goal is to work in academia, will this fellowship enable them to establish their own scholarly program? If their goal is to work in industry or community, will this project include applications and industry/community contacts that will lead to a position in the private sector? If their goal is to work in government, will this project educate them in the mechanisms of policy making, etc.?

Supervisor's Letter of Support (10%)
- Does the letter clearly state how the advisory team will mentor and support the applicant both for their proposed project and career goals?

Overall Program Evaluation (20%, based on all submitted materials)
- Interdisciplinarity: The degree to which the proposed project incorporates methods and/or outputs across the three CM expertise pillars (neuroscience, AI/technology, society).
- Co-creation focus: Are external partners necessary and involved in planning the project? In the case of community-based or applied projects, were end-users/communities consulted (or is there a plan for how such engagement and consultation will take place)?
- Potential impact on knowledge mobilization and translation; for new research approaches, technologies, health, policy or commercial application.
- Overall contribution to CM mandate and training goals.

Last updated:02/09/2026